Michael miller



MICHAEL MILLER, OF WATERLOO, INDIANA..

IMPROVEMENT IN WAGGNS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 118,257, dated August22, 1871.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MICHAEL MILLER, of Waterloo, in the county of DeKalb and State of Indiana, ha-ve invented a new and useful ImprovementinWa-gons, of which the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription, reference being made to the accompanying drawing, in whichthe various parts are designated by similar letters in all the figures.

The iirst part of my invention relates to an improved fifth-wheel, bywhich wagons are enabled to turn more easily'and steadily thanheretofore, and byits peculiar construction relieves the kingbolt ofthegreater part of the strain which it sustains in ordinary wagons.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the first part of my inventionattached to that part of a wagon to which it belongs; and Fig. 2 is asection of the same taken in the line :v m, shown in Fig. l.

It consists of two annular plates, one which I call the bottom plate,shown at A, being firmly attach ed in a horizontal position to the upperside of the fore axle-tree, so that the hole through which the king-boltpasses is at its center. The upper surface of this plate, with theexception of a ledge, Z, around its outer edge, is rid ge-shaped, theinn er incline of therid ge being twicethe extent of the outer, as shownin Fig. 2. rlhe other, which I call the top plate, shown at B, is firmlyattached to or forms part ofthe under side of the fore end of thecouplin pole, preferably in the mann er sh own in the drawing'. Theunder surface of this plate is grooved to t upon the upper surface ofplate A, upon which it oscillates with the movements of the wagon. Thetwo plates are held together when the wagon is coupled by the kin g-boltc passing through the cross-head h., which` forms the termination of thecoupling-pole p. The two plates are of the same size, and I prefer tomake them of the diameter of about one-third or fourth the length ofordinary axle-trees and of convenient thickness.

It will be seen that in this invention a great degree of steadiness inrunning and facility in turning is attained7 and that a large portion ofthe pull is sustained by the contiguous surfaces of the two plates A andB, which would otherwise fall upon the king-bolt, which is the case inordinary wagons, too much strain being thereby centered on said bolt.The plates are made of metal or metal and wood combined.

Fig. 3 shows the second `part of my invention, which relates to themanner in which the hind hoinids of a wagon are attached to thecouplingpole. Instead of being rigidly fixed to said pole they areattached', by screws or otherwise, to a swivelin g head, Z, made in twoparts, Z Z, which head embraces the coupling-pole and turns upon it wheneither ofthe wheels ofthe wagon is raised, as when passing overobstacles or making short turns.

In ordinary wagons, when a short turn is made or a wheel on one sidepasses over an obstruction,

there is a great strain upon the coupling-gear, as y is well known, andvarious parts of it are frequently thus broken and twisted out of place.This is obviated by the second part of my invention, viz., the manner ofattaching the hind hounds to coupling-pole by a swiveling head or itsequivalent.

Having thus described my invent-ion, what I claim is- 1 r1`hecombination of the swiveling head Z and the'reach with the fifth-wheel,having upon its lower plate a V-shaped annular ridge, and in its upperplate a groove to iit therein, all as shown and described, and for thepurpose set forth..

Witness my hand this 30th day of M arch, 1871. Vitnesses: MICHAELMILLER.

A. J. SINGLAIR, J. C. BOYER.

